Electrophotographic apparatus

Abstract

A focussing optical fiber array is disposed between an original document carrier and a photosensitive member such as a photoconductive sheet to focus an image of a linear portion of an original document onto the sheet. A reflector means comprising a plurality of mirrors or prisms is provided between the optical fiber array and the sheet. The reflector means provides an inverted image by reflecting the image an odd number of times which is at least three times. The reflector means reflects the image onto the sheet parallel to the axis of the optical fiber array. A drive means produces relative scanning movement between the document carrier, optical fiber array and sheet.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising, in combination: a document carrier for supporting an original document;   a photosensitive member;   a stationary focussing optical fiber array for focussing a light image of a linear portion of the original document onto the photosensitive member;   drive means for producing relative scanning movement between the document carrier, optical array and photosensitive member in such a manner that the document carrier and the photosensitive member are moved relative to the optical fiber array; and   reflector means comprising two triangular prisms disposed between the optical fiber array and the photosensitive member for reflecting the light image an odd number of times which is at least three times, the reflector means reflecting the light image onto the photosensitive member substantially parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber array.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a reflective coating formed on a reflecting surface of one of the triangular prisms. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the reflector means reflects the light image onto the photosensitive member in substantial coincidence with the optical axis of the optical fiber array. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a curtain for preventing any stray light from reaching the photosensitive member. 
     
     
       5. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising, in combination: a stationary document carrier for supporting an original document;   a photosensitive member;   a focussing optical fiber array for focussing a light image of a linear portion of the original document onto the photosensitive member;   drive means for producing relative scanning movement between the document carrier, optical fiber array and photosensitive member in such a manner that the optical fiber array and the photosensitive member are moved relative to the document carrier; and   reflector means comprising two triangular prisms disposed between the optical fiber array and the photosensitive member for reflecting the light image an odd number of times which is at least three times, the reflector means reflecting the light image onto the photosensitive member substantially parallel to the optical axis of the optical fiber array.   
     
     
       6. An apparatus as in claim 5, in which the drive means moves the photosensitive member at twice the speed as the optical fiber array. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as in claim 5, further comprising a reflective coating formed on a reflecting surface of one of the triangular prisms. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as in claim 5, in which the reflector means reflects the light image onto the photosensitive member in substantial coincidence with the optical axis of the optical fiber array. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as in claim 5, further comprising a curtain for preventing any stray light from reaching the photosensitive member.